Delosperma plant named ‘Kelaidis’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Delosperma plant named ‘Kelaidis’, characterized by its compact, prostrate and spreading plant habit; freely branching growth habit, dense and bushy growth habit; light pink-colored flowers; and excellent garden performance.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION/CULTIVAR DESIGNATION

Delosperma cooperi cultivar Kelaidis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofDelosperma plant, botanically known as Delosperma cooperi, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Kelaidis’.

The new Delosperma was discovered and selected by the Inventor in acontrolled environment in Denver, Colo. in 1998 as a naturally-occurringwhole plant mutation of an unidentified selection of Delosperma cooperi,not patented.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken in acontrolled environment in Denver, Colo. since 1998, has shown that theunique features of this new Delosperma are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Kelaidis have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment and culture such as temperature without,however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Kelaidis’ . These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Kelaidis’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact, prostrate and spreading plant habit.

2. Freely branching growth habit, dense and bushy growth habit.

3. Light pink-colored flowers.

4. Excellent garden performance.

Plants of the new Delosperma are most similar to plants of the parent,the unidentified selection of Delosperma cooperi, however plants of thenew Delosperma differ from plants of the parent selection primarily inflower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Delosperma.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Kelaidis’.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typicalflower and leaves of ‘Kelaidis’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used for the aforementioned photographs and followingobservations and measurements were planted into one-gallon containersand grown for about four months in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse inDenver, Colo. During the production of the plants, the day temperaturesranged from 13 to 27° C. and night temperatures ranged from 4 to 18° C.In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Delosperma cooperi cultivar Kelaidis.

Parentage:

Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of an unidentified selection ofDelosperma cooperi, not patented.

Propagation:

Type.—By cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 10 days at 22° C. Winter: About 14days at 22° C.

Time to produce a rooted young plant.—Summer: About 42 days at 21° C.Winter: About 48 days at 21° C.

Root description.—Fine, freely branching.

Plant description

Form.—Compact, prostrate and spreading plant habit. Freely branchinggrowth habit with branching at potentially every node, dense and bushyappearance. Leaves, succulent.

Plant height.—About 4.5 cm.

Plant diameter.—About 23 cm.

Foliage description.—Arrangement: Opposite, simple; crowded. Length:About 1 cm. Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Linear; nearly cylindrical. Apex:Acute. Base: Decurrent. Margin: Entire. Orientation: Recurved. Texture,upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous; succulent. Venation pattern:Parallel. Color: Young and fully expanded foliage, upper surface: Darkerthan 144A. Young and fully expanded foliage, lower surface: Darker than144A. Venation, upper and lower surfaces: Darker than 144A.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single rotate flowers; typically one flower perterminal.

Natural flowering season.—Plants flower continuously year round.

Flower longevity on the plant.—About two to three days.

Fragrance.—None detected.

Flowers.—Diameter: About 3.8 cm. Depth: About 1.6 cm.

Flower buds.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Shape: Oblong.Color: Close to 8C.

Petals.—Quantity/arrangement: About 32 arranged in a single row. Length:About 1.9 cm. Width: About 1.5 mm. Orientation: About 70° from vertical.Aspect: Straight, flat. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute or emarginate. Base:Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,waxy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 8C faintly overlainwith close to 52B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 8C faintlyunderlain with close to 52B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 8Coverlain with close to 52B; color becoming closer to 52A withdevelopment. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 8C underlain withclose to 52B.

Sepals.—Quantity/arrangement: About five fused into a cupped shapecalyx. Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Deltoid,elongated. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper andlower surfaces: Papillate; succulent. Color, upper and lower surfaces:144A.

Peduncles.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm. Strength:Strong, flexible. Angle: Erect. Texture: Papillate. Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 50. Filamentlength: About 3 mm. Filament color: Close to 154A. Anther shape: Oblong.Anther length: Less than 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 155D. Pollenamount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 6A to 9A. Pistils: Quantity perflower: About 15. Style length: About 3.5 mm. Style color: Close to 4D.Stigma shape: Acute. Stigma color: Close to 4D. Ovary color:. Close to154A.

Seed/fruit.—Seed nor fruit production has not been observed.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Delosperma have not beennoted to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to Delosperma.

Weather tolerance: Plants of the new Delosperma have been observed to betolerant to rain, wind and temperatures ranging from 0 to at least 38°C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Delosperma plant named‘Kelaidis’, as illustrated and described.